Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DHAKA558
2005-02-09 02:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
Media Reaction: President Bush's State of the Union
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS DHAKA 000558
SIPDIS
FOR I/FW, B/G, IIP/G/NEA-SA, B/VOA/N (BANGLA SERVICE) STATE
FOR SA/PAB, SA/PPD (LSCENSNY, SSTRYKER),SA/RA, INR/R/MR,
AND PASS TO USAID FOR ANE/ASIA/SA/B (WJOHNSON)
CINCPAC FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR, J51 (MAJ TURNER),J45
(MAJ NICHOLLS)
USARPAC FOR APOP-IM (MAJ HEDRICK)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR OIIP OPRC KPAO PREL ETRD PTER ASEC BG OCII
SUBJECT: Media Reaction: President Bush's State of the Union
Address; Dhaka
Summary: English "The Daily Star" comments on the foreign
policy implications of the State of the Union address.
--------------
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
--------------
"Bush's State of the Union Message: A Mixture of Hope and
Challenge"
Independent English language "The Daily Star" op-ed article
says (02/08/05):
While reiterating support for lofty ideals of freedom and
democracy at home and commitment to measures for social
justice and employment at home, the Presidential message, as
expected, generated a mixed reaction. The support reiterated
by him for the ongoing moves in search of an understanding
between Palestine and Israel has brightened the prospect of
success of his road map for peace in the Middle East. The
election of Mahmoud Abbas as President of the State of
Palestine, yet to be recognized as such by Israel and the
West, the current unsigned truce between the two warring
sides, Israel's latest decision to withdraw from some of the
cities in the West Bank and the hopes generated by the
forthcoming meeting between Sharon and Mahmoud, indeed,
represent moves in right direction.
The major dissatisfaction abroad was registered in Iran and
Syria, who were identified by the President in his message
as principal sources of terrorism. The governments of the
two countries immediately protested and rejected the
accusation. Observers are ill at ease at not merely
identifying such states by the President, but for the
underlying implication of American policy and actions in the
future toward these two countries. Despite the new Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice's dismissal of any suggestion to
take military action against these countries, the
Presidential reference appears designed to caution them
against their future untoward ventures and the stern
reaction it would ensue. The President will definitely be
ill advised to take any military action against any country
in that region, as he already finds it difficult to
extricate military involvement from Iraq promptly.
As for North Korea's nuclear issue, the President
demonstrated prudence in continuing support for the
multilateral diplomatic initiative to resolve the issue
through negotiation.
Thomas
SIPDIS
FOR I/FW, B/G, IIP/G/NEA-SA, B/VOA/N (BANGLA SERVICE) STATE
FOR SA/PAB, SA/PPD (LSCENSNY, SSTRYKER),SA/RA, INR/R/MR,
AND PASS TO USAID FOR ANE/ASIA/SA/B (WJOHNSON)
CINCPAC FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR, J51 (MAJ TURNER),J45
(MAJ NICHOLLS)
USARPAC FOR APOP-IM (MAJ HEDRICK)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR OIIP OPRC KPAO PREL ETRD PTER ASEC BG OCII
SUBJECT: Media Reaction: President Bush's State of the Union
Address; Dhaka
Summary: English "The Daily Star" comments on the foreign
policy implications of the State of the Union address.
--------------
STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
--------------
"Bush's State of the Union Message: A Mixture of Hope and
Challenge"
Independent English language "The Daily Star" op-ed article
says (02/08/05):
While reiterating support for lofty ideals of freedom and
democracy at home and commitment to measures for social
justice and employment at home, the Presidential message, as
expected, generated a mixed reaction. The support reiterated
by him for the ongoing moves in search of an understanding
between Palestine and Israel has brightened the prospect of
success of his road map for peace in the Middle East. The
election of Mahmoud Abbas as President of the State of
Palestine, yet to be recognized as such by Israel and the
West, the current unsigned truce between the two warring
sides, Israel's latest decision to withdraw from some of the
cities in the West Bank and the hopes generated by the
forthcoming meeting between Sharon and Mahmoud, indeed,
represent moves in right direction.
The major dissatisfaction abroad was registered in Iran and
Syria, who were identified by the President in his message
as principal sources of terrorism. The governments of the
two countries immediately protested and rejected the
accusation. Observers are ill at ease at not merely
identifying such states by the President, but for the
underlying implication of American policy and actions in the
future toward these two countries. Despite the new Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice's dismissal of any suggestion to
take military action against these countries, the
Presidential reference appears designed to caution them
against their future untoward ventures and the stern
reaction it would ensue. The President will definitely be
ill advised to take any military action against any country
in that region, as he already finds it difficult to
extricate military involvement from Iraq promptly.
As for North Korea's nuclear issue, the President
demonstrated prudence in continuing support for the
multilateral diplomatic initiative to resolve the issue
through negotiation.
Thomas